Taxonomy of meanings for 無為:  

  • VIRTUE
    • INACTIVE
      • NPabpsychologicaldetachment; indifference; non-interference in the world; non-assertiveness; disengagement
      • NPadNcharacterised by detachment, indifference/non-interference in the world, or non-assertive action
      • VPadVby the method of disengaged detachment without any ulterior motives, of indifference/non-interference in this world or of non-assertive action; by the method of non-assertive action
      • VPiact己不亲劳于事; cultivate, advocate or practise detachment, practice disengagement, non-interference in this world, engage in non-assertive behaviour
      • VPiact, subject inanimatecultivate detachment, indifference, non-interference or non-assertive action only (of inanimate creatures or beings)
      • NPab{PRED}actindifference; non-interference in the world; disengagementCH
    • INDEPENDENT
      • NPabbuddhistBUDDH: the unconditioned (state) (sometimes used as description of nirvāṇa 涅槃); skr. asaṃskṛta, pali asaṃkhata
      • VPadNbuddhistBUDDH: unconditioned
      • VPibuddhistBUDDH: be in a unconditioned state, be unconditioned (sometimes used as description of nirvāṇa 涅槃); skr. asaṃskṛta, pali asaṃkhata